Two speed generator drive



UTOSS HBTGI'GHCO G. c. GooDE ETAL 2,375,785 v May 15, 194s.

TWO SPEED GENERATOR DRIVE i- Filed Aug. .'51, 1942 3 Sheets-Shet 1 ATTORNEYS.

ul us5 nUIBrBHCB Lxaf l l. Y 8 l May 15, 1945. Q C- GQODE' ET AL 2,375,785

TWO SPEED GENERATOR DRIVE Filed Aug. 3l, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

UI'OSS HBTGI'GDCB May 1 5, 1945.

G. c. GooDE ET Al. 2,375,785

TWO SPEED GENERATOR DRIVE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 31, 1942 ATTORNEYS- Patented May 1 5, 1945 UNITED STATES Pari-ENT OFFICE A TWO SIEED IATOR :DRIVE Gilbert C. Goode, Birmingham, and :Eugene Gonyou, Detroit, lMch., assignors itolhrysler Corporation, Highland Park,.Mich., acoizporation of Delaware Application. Augustl, 1942,:Setialo.=456gfl57 y 9 Claims.

Thise'mvention relates to variableespeed drives for electrical generators particularly for those 'used omaircra'ft.

'Most aircraft electrical systems are Ysupplied from'generators driven directly ofi' themainfenfgines. lgenerators are usually lconstructed such `that"they deliver normal voutput when the engines lare running lat cruising speed, consequently whentheenglnesare idling or runningat reduced throttle preparatory 'to landing 'or YVilor other paritaires, 'theeavailable electrical power for the-operation "off auxiliary :equipment is greatly reduced. vconstitutes,-a rserious problem in largeaircrait, particularly'inhombers whereit is often necessary tooperate bomb release mecha# nismfgun turrets, and otherpower consuming-'devices :while running# at `slow speed as when sighting/on atarget.

It' isht'he l'dialect o'fft'lfieVA present invention to-'provide .a variablespeed drive -for generators, particularly aircraft generators, which will automatimally'` step-up -the-generator speed vwhen the main engine -speed drops to a predetermined value.

Another object` isto. provide a variable f'speed drive 'for aircraft'generators-whiohis compact,of light weight and of simple construction.

Another object fis to-provlde-a compact, selfcontained,:automatic, variable vspeed ltransmission whichis adapted'ltofbeinsertedbetween=a-power source andV a luadandwhich f requires no-outsid'e .controlmechanism orf-otherl auxiliary apparatus.

.Other objects-and'advfantages--will be apparent from:thefollowing'xiescxfiption. TIn thedrawings accompanyirrgthe. idescriptlon,

'Eigl isanffelevationtof a complete electrical power untmountedfon arrenfgine.

Fig. 2 `is an enlarged .sectional View takenas indicated by the arrowsfZ-Zon-.Flg 1.

'Eiggllisa` sectionall view taken `as. indicated by tire arrows -ia on Fla: `2^.

1Fdg.f4:isa.-section-al view taken as indicated 'by -views .of Itheme 1 Cl. 'I4-260) -erator y35i! which has a 4`suitable flange 534er -re' 'ceivingthe'studa The lvariablelspeeddriving mechanism is designated generally by numeral 54 and is provided with a. y-housingrii ihaving suitable holes through -wliioir-the r`studsiilare adapted to pass.

The change speed-unthas asp'lined input'shft 56 which terminates-rearwardly in a-.bell shaped portion 51. llatter forms aplanet-'carriemand is provi'ded'lwithiaales 58 onwliich-are mounted planet piniofnsf. lllrese pinionszmeshwithz. an .annulusegear $0 and'asuntgear Bil. The-annum .gearffhas anfintegral -hollow -huhfB-l 'ploted'sat 2 inlfthe inputishaftl, i afbushmgllifniingea -suitable Journal. The hubiissinternallyeplinod forcthe reception of thegeneratorsdriveisliattl. '.I'he sun gear'l extends'forwardlyannr-abufs a shoulder- &5 carried .by .a .-separatorimexberll.

The@ shoulder '105 'intu-rn.abutsv therinnenreduced .shoulderrportion 68 of a memberiltwhichtorms ltirefftn'vvard .housing fend plate. The: latter-ms :an'annular recesss :in which is carriedfa: eld'coil 'l0' constituting apart .offa'magneticbrakegenerally .designated'hy the numeral 1 l.

Rastened to the :member y6'! by .pins 't2 iisan internally slotted sleeve 13 which `supports land .carries a :plurality .of friction .discs 7M :and 'an armaturetl. The-discs 14 and armature'fl'areof magnetic material, as is the '.housing'memberrl, and are provided with radalsplinesill Torremaging thefslots in the sleeve T3.

Inrleaved with Ythe discs 14 arey a mumberiof similardisc's 11.1 splinedat 'i8 -to thefforwardlyx- `-terrded'portion of the sun 'gearii l..

Fromzthe description so far it will abe. seen .that .energization of: the coil l0 willfattract'thearmaturefl 'and :pack discs M -18 'whereupon .the :slm gear'flfl will be prevented from'rotationtand the :drivefrom shaft 56 'to-shaft-64 will :beatarratio greater'than l to 1 through theplanet pnionsj and :the annulus il), the Asungear fzl '.furnishing reaction.

When the coil l0 is not energizedtheinivetbe- .tween shafts: 56 and-G4 is at' a 1l to `1 ratiothmugh :an automatic v one-way clutch' generally ximia- 'natedat x19. This clutch :comprises rollerswisee FigsA andil) ycarried in spacedrelation bmanage v-8I. The latter has a pluralityof radial iugst vwhich loosely engage Lslots 83 cut :in the hubl of hezfannulus gear. 'The hub-8l "has a plurality 'of cams. formed thereonunsuchposition that thehigh portions vof theI cams engage fthe-respec- 'tiverrollers yto fwedge thetsame into engagement with theadjacent inner cylindricalsuriace-o'fthe tion of the latter thereby to provide a solid drive between the carrier 51 and the hub 6|. When the brake 1| is engaged, the hub 6 rotates faster than the carrier because of the step-up through the gearing and the rollers 80 release automatically to permit the hub 6 to overrun.

Energization of the coil 10 is controlled by a centrifugally operated switch 84 shown in detail in Figs. 2, 9 and 10. This switch comprisesa fixed terminal 85 connected to a slip ring 86 by means of a stud 81, and a movable terminal 88 carried by an arm 89 of spring material. The spring arm 89 has oppositely extending ears 90 which engage holes provided in a pair of oppositely disposed levers 9| as shown in Fig. 10.

The other end of the spring arm 89 engages a groove 92 cut in the peripheral surface of a weight 9.3. The latter pivotally engages a pin 94 carried by an annular dished member 95 which serves as a switch housing. The latter has a threaded connection at 96 with the shaft 56. A headed pin 91 retains the weight on the pin 94 while allowing free rotation about the axis thereof.

The pin 94 is provided with an axial groove 98 which is engaged by knife edged projections 99 carried by the respective levers 9|.

The weight 93 is adapted to swing about the axis of the pin 94 under the iniiuence of centrifugal force, the arc of swing being limited by a pin |00 carried by the member 95. This pin engages one side or the other of an enlarged hole |0| in the weight 93 as illustrated. A spring |02 tendsI to keep the weight in s'witch closing position as illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 shows the weight in an intermediate position between open and closed positions of the switch. When the shaft 56 reaches a predetermined speed of rotation the weight 93 moves outwardly and thereby displaces the groove 92 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 2 and 9. This shifts the fulcrum of the spring member 89 and causes the latter to snap the levers 9| clockwise on the knife edge 99 thus opening the switch. A stop pin |03 limits the switch opening movement of the levers 9|.

The slip ring 86 is connected with the eld coil 10 by means of a brush |04 and a Wire |05. The brush is urged against the ring by a spring |06 carried by a brush holder |01.

The change speed mechanism is lubricated through a passage |08 which is located in the housing 54 such that it is adapted to communicate with an oil pressure port (not shown) provided in the mounting flange on the engine. The passage |08 communicates with a radial passage |09 which conducts the lubricant to the hub 6| and from this point the oil flows through the various passages I0, ||2, etc., and around the gears and bearings. A drain ||3 is provided at the lowest portionof the casing. Suitable oil seals ||4, ||5 prevent escape of lubricant around the shafts 56 and 64.

The operation of the device in a typical installation between an aircraft generator and the main engine auxiliary driving shaft is as follows.

When the generator is at rest, the switch 84 will be closed, the spring |02 having swung the weight 93 about the axis of the pin 94 to the position shown in Fig. 2. The eld coil 10 of the electromagnetic brake 1|. will, therefore, be energized preferably from the main battery supply circuit and the brake 1| will be applied thereby preventing rotation of the sun gear 6|.

The generator shaft 64 will thus be driven at an overspeed with respect to the shaft 56 until the shaft has attained a speed of approximately 3,000 R. P. M. whereupon the weight 93 will swing outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force and thereby swing the fulcrum of the spring member 89 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9 and cause the switch contact 88 to be snapped out of engagement with the switch contact 85. The arms 9| and the contact 88 will be swung clockwise against the stop |03. This opens the circuit to the eld coil 10 and renders the brake 1| ineffective. The sun gear 6| is thus free to rotate and as there is no reaction point for the planetary gearing, the hub 6| and shaft 64 will immediately fall off in speed.

The overrunning clutch 19 will, however, operate to provide a direct driving connection between the carrier 51 and the hub 6| as soon as the shafts 64 and 56 become synchronized. The generator 52 will then be driven at the speed of shaft 56 and will continue to be so driven until the speed of the shaft 56 drops to approximately 2400 R. P. M. whereupon the spring |02 will overcome the centrifugal force tending to hold the weight 93 in its outward position and the switch 84 will be snapped to closed position energizing the field coil 10 of the brake 1| and causing the armature 15 thereof to be attracted axially toward the coil to thereby engage the friction plates 16 and 11 and stop rotation of the sun gear.

This will immediately establish the overspeed driving relation between the shafts 56 and 64, the hub 6|' overrunning the carrier 51 as will be permitted by release of the rollers of the overrunning clutch 19.

It has been found that an overdrive ratio of 1.714 to 1 is satisfactory under the described conditions to maintain satisfactory power regulation of the generator. By Calibrating the speed responsive switch mechanism such that the switch will open at approximately 3000 R. P. M. and close at approximately 2400 R. P. M. and by providing a snap action switch, hunting of the control mechanism is prevented and approximately full power output of the generator is available under practically all conditions of aircraft operation. A

It will thus be seen that we have provided an extremely compact and simple power transmission that is self-contained within itself and does not require auxiliary control mechanism or apparatus for its operation. In instances where the variable speed power transmission is not needed, the block of the main engine 50 is provided with relatively shorter studs 5| and the generator 52 may be secured directly on these shorter studs, the generator shaft 64 being received by the internally splined driving member (not shown) of the engine. In cases where our improved power transmission is to be used, it is necessary only to replace the short studs with longer studs and to insert the housing 54 between the engine block 50 and the generator 52 and make the necessary electrical and lubricating supply connections.

IJ connection with our centrifugally actuated switch 84, it should be noted that we have disposed the movable arm 9| in such manner that the centrifugal force acting on the switch parts has no tendency to change the position of the arm from that which it has been moved by the weight 93. e arm 9| is disposed radially with respect to the axis of the input structure on which it is carried in both its open and closed positions, the change in the position of the fulcrum 99 compensating for the circumferential k Jh -. amines swingof mbe-arm as its'rmoveditcmaonecofffits positions'to @theothen While :but one :speciiicfembodiment .of the invention is disclosed, it. .is contemplated Athat changes in the form, siaelandishaperofthe--1var ious pai-.ts may be made bythose skilled .inthe art without departing from thespirit .onscope of our invention as :set forth in the claims.,ap Dendedbelow.

We claim:

l. .Ina two'speed transmissionndaptedto; drive agenerator from an `erigine,.a `housing Aincluding a removable end plate-:providinglan electroemagnet core, a core energizing -coil:circumierentially disposed on the-end-.plate within the a `shaft ,projecting outwardly from 4.said housing lthrough an aperture centrally formed .in Vthe plate for drivingly connecting the transmission and engine, a spider carried by the inner end of the shaft, planet gears mounted-.on-.the-spider, a ring gear internally meshing withl the planet gears, said ring gear being carried internally splined hub Vadapted toreceivefa shaftrinsertible through the housing :for :drivingly connecting the transmission and generatona .-bearing between the hub and the fshaft to -,aecommodate relative .movement therebetween, :af-sun gear mounted concentrically with the hubmnd shaft and meshing with the planet vgea.rs,.:an axially shiitable armature laterally-spaced. from said core, a plurality of axially shiftableiriotion plates carried respectively by thev end plateA and sun gear and disposed between said ,core land armature, said friction plates .being engageable upon electrical energizationof the coilandlmagnetic energization orsaid core vand armature to hold the sungear and establishan overdrive .between said shaft .andsaid splined hub, an overrunning clutch between the concentrically disposed elements of the gearing to provide .a direct drive when the coil is de-.energized and, saidsun gear is released, said overrunning clutch `being positioned axially intermediate the outer .ends of said end plate and ring gear, .a .casing concentrically counted on the shaft adjacent said outer surface I the end plate,and a speed responsive switch carried by said casing and rotatable with said shaft for controlling energization of said coil. l

2. A two speed transmissionmechanism comprising a housing having at one end a removable electro-magnet Vcore centrally apertured to receive a drive shaft, Va core energizing winding 'disposed in a recess 1n said core, an axially shiftable armature spaced' from said core and magnetically energizable upon energization of said winding, a planetary gear set within the housing, said gear set comprising a ring gear, a pinion carrier, and a sun gear provided with hubs concentrically arranged with respect to each other, the hub of the sun gear being formed with a splined portion fitted with clutch plates, said plates being interleaved with other plates connected instationary relationship to the housing and said l.clutchfjilatesbein-all disposed between said core and armature, the hub of the pinion carrier being connected to the drive shaft, the hub of the ring gear being internally splined to receive a driven shaft connection, an overrunling clutch interposed between the pinion carrier hub and another of the hubs concentric therewith and positioned axially intermediate the core and the outer end of the sun gear, and speed responsive control means mounted on the drive shaft adjacent the end plate for controllingaelectricalmcrgizationnf saiduwinding auch that snnggearris .held ".Zrom' rotation-*hymn- .gagement :of :said clutch :zplates upon energication' ofsaid :core and .armature lto establishvan cmerdrive between .said drive .shaft and driven shaft nconnection .and the fsungear and clutch platesiare rreleased uponzdenergization -cf said `windingzto establish 1a direct :drive .between said .drivashaftand driven shaft connection.

3. .A twospeed transmission .mechanism comprisingahousinghaving .a centrally apertnred removable. electromag-.netl core, Aancore energizing windingidisposedin -a recesszin Asaid core, an axiallyzshiftahlearmature. spaced from said core magnetically energizable- .upon 'energiaation otsaidiwindingna .planetary gearsetin .the :housing, saidgear set 'comprising .ating :gen-ar, pinion carrier andun gear. formed :mth hub Yportions -telescopioally positioned :with respect to ea-ch other .and .concentric/with .thexend plate, .the hubof therzpinion carrier ylaeingtiormed .-,withea reduced shaft l:portion projecting :through the aperture cit-the core, .fa :shouldered member mounted, '.concentricallyzrto the.- shaitrin :the fend plateand. providing: a .thrust abutment 'for the .hub of. the .sunxgeanand .pinion carrier, onoverrlmning clutch mountedbetween the: hubof1the pinion carrier and another of said 1hubs.and1.po sitionedaxially intermediate the Vcorevand-an endofzfthe sunigear,..a friction 'clutchxundericom trolioi' said ncore:and.:armatureiand.'lnavingrso operable elements respectively carried lbyrtherend plate and the hub of the sun gearyandfispoed responsive control.: meansnnounted .on 'the lend plate for :controlling ieiectrica'l .energization of said Winding suchzthatthezsun :gear .ia-held from rotationpbyenga'gement otsaidxcooperableschitch elements ,upon energization .xof said :coreand amature `ftoxestabl-ish 'an.' overdrive betweenisaid' reduced ishaft yportion -cfethe pinioncarrier'.' hub and ithe ring gear-hub, :and the -suntgear-fand cooperable :clutchzelements are released upon de- ;energization of said ywinding-to ,establish a direct y drive .between reducedshait portionoi Y.the

pinion carrier vhulisand` saidt'ring gear hub.

4. .A change speed unit for aircraft .engine generator drives comprising coaxial.A input and output torque transmitting members, a .planetarygearset for drivngly connecting said members, a magnetic friction brake.. mechanism positioned laterally adjacent. said. gearset for-.comb trolling said gearset to cbtainaidirect-drive Aand another speed ratio drive between said inputand output members, a.housing enclosing saidgear- 'set .and mechanismv `and .arranged :andrannystructed for supporting a generator. in overhanging .relationship thereto,asaid :planetary :gearset comprising a rotatable .element .drivingly vconnected tosaid input.sizructuraa second rotatable elernentdrivingly` connected tosaid outputstructurezand aorotatable reactionelemennsaid output member, reaction element and input planetary element .having portions .telescopically arranged relative to Aeach .othenzand .extending in the 'adi- -rection v.of .said brake .rnechanism :said :brake mechanism comprising an electro-magnet core stationarily and removably mounted in said housing and having radially spaced apart annular portions and having a central aperture for accommodating one o1' said torque transmitting members, a core energizingv winding disposed in the space between said annular portions of said core,v an axially shiftable armature of magnetizable material laterally spaced from said core and having radial portions in face-to-face relation with said radially spaced annular portions respectively of said core, whereby upon energize.- tion of said winding a magnetic circuit will ybe produced having one leg thereof passing from one of said annular portions to said armature and another fromsaid armature to the other of said annular portions of the core, a plurality of axially'shiftable friction members between said core and armature and having radial portions in face-to-face relation with said radially spaced annular portions respectively of said core, whereby said frictionmembers extend across both legs of said magnetic circuit when said winding is energized, certain of said friction members being drivingly connected with said planetary reaction element and others being stationarily mounted relative to said housing whereby when said winding is energized said reaction element is held from rotation by said friction members to establish a predetermined drive between said input and output members, and an overrunning clutch between a pair of said telescopically arranged portions and positioned intermediate the core and one end of the planetary reaction element for establishing the input and output members y in direct drive when said winding is cle-energized and said reaction element is released by said brake mechanism.

5. A change speed unit as claimed in claim 4 including control means responsive` to rotative speed of said input member for effecting energization of said winding at or aboveta predetermined speed.

6. A change speed unit for aircraft engine gen'- erator drives comprising coaxial inputfandtout'- put torque transmitting members, a housingarranged and constructed for engine mounting at one end and for supporting a generatorin overhanging relationship thereto at its other end, an electro-magnet core stationarily and removably lmounted in said housing at the engine mounting end thereof said core having radially spaced apart annular portions and a central aperture, a bearing member secured in said aperture for journalling said input member, a core energizing winding disposed in the space between said annular portions of said core, an axially shiftable armature of magnetizable material laterally spaced from said core and having radial portions in face-to-face relation with said radially spaced annular portions respectively of said core, whereby upon energzation of said winding a magnetic circuit will be produced having one leg thereof passing from one of said annular portions to said armature and another from said armature to the other ofv said annular portions of the core, a planetary gearset for drivingly connecting said input and output members Dositioned adjacent the said other end of the housing, said gearset comprising. a rotatable spider drivingly connected to said input member, a ring gear drivingly connected to the output member, and a sun gear journalled on said bearing member, a plurality of axially shiftable friction members between said core and armature and having radial portions in face-tc-face relation with said radially spaced annular portion: respectively of said core, whereby said frictior members extend across. both legs of said magnetic circuit when said winding is energized, certain of said friction members being drivingly connected with said sun gear and others beim stationarily: mounted relative to said housing whereby when said winding is energized said sur gear is held from rotation by said friction members to establish an overdrive between said input and output members, and an overrunning clutch between said carrier and one of the other aforementioned planetary members and positioned intermediate the core and one end of the sun gear for nonnecting said input and output members in `direct drive when said winding is deenergized.

7. A change speed unit as claimed in claim G wherein the input member has a splined portion projecting from the core and the output member has a splined socket.

8. A change speed unit as claimed in claim 6 including centrifugal switch means carried by the input'member for controlling said winding and operable at predetermined speed to energize said Winding and establish said unit in overdrive.

9. A change speed unit comprising in combination coaxial` input and output torque transmitting members, a planetary gearset for drivingly connecting said members, a magnetic friction brake mechanism positioned laterally adjacent said gearsetl for controlling said gearset to obtain a direct drive and anotherv speed ratio drive between said input and output members, said gearset comprising a rotatable element drivingly connected to said input structure, a second rotatable element drivingly connected to said output structure, an overrunning clutch device connected between said rotatable elements, and a rotatable reaction element, said brake mechanism comprising a relatively stationarifly mounted electromagnet core surrounding one of said members, an annular channel in a lateral face of said core providing magnetically spaced annuli, a core energizing winding in said channel, an axially shiftable. armature of magnetizable material laterally spaced fromI said annuli, a plurality of sets of axially shiftable friction members between said core and armature, said friction members khaving radially spaced apart portions of magnetizable materialin substantial alignment with said core annuli whereby a plurality of ux paths may be established upon energzation of said core through said core, friction members, and armature, certain of said friction members being drivingly connected to said stationary core and others to said reaction member of'said planetary gearset whereby `one speed ratio drive may be established upon energzation of said Winding and direct drive may be Yestablished upon de-energization thereof.

GILBERT C. GOODE. EUGENE GONYOU. 

